Major Events of September 1901: Key Historical Moments from the Month
Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from September 1901 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of September 1901: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Sep 1901 New York Stock Exchange Building Construction Begins: Construction commenced on the iconic New York Stock Exchange building, marking a significant milestone in the financial infrastructure of the United States. This architectural project symbolized the growing economic power and financial sophistication of New York City at the turn of the 20th century.
- 02 Sep 1901 Theodore Roosevelt's Famous Foreign Policy Motto: Vice President Theodore Roosevelt delivered his iconic foreign policy philosophy at the Minnesota State Fair, articulating the principle of 'Speak softly and carry a big stick'. This memorable phrase encapsulated his approach to international diplomacy, suggesting that the United States should negotiate peacefully while maintaining strong military preparedness.
- 03 Sep 1901 National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues Established: A pivotal moment in American sports organization, seven minor baseball leagues united in Chicago to form the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, creating a structured framework for professional baseball development and standardizing league operations across different regional competitions.
- 04 Sep 1901 Founding of Jaguar Cars: William Lyons, a visionary English entrepreneur, co-founded the prestigious automobile manufacturer Jaguar Cars in Birmingham, England. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of what would become one of the most iconic luxury car brands in automotive history. Initially established as the Swallow Sidecar Company, the business would later evolve into Jaguar, known for producing elegant, high-performance vehicles that would capture the imagination of car enthusiasts worldwide.
- 05 Sep 1901 Assassination of President McKinley at Pan-American Exposition: President William McKinley was fatally shot by anarchist Leon Czolgosz during an afternoon public reception at the Temple of Music building at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. This tragic event would lead to Vice President Theodore Roosevelt becoming the 26th President of the United States.
- 06 Sep 1901 Assassination of President William McKinley: Leon Czolgosz, an unemployed anarchist, shoots and fatally wounds US President William McKinley at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. The assassination would lead to significant changes in presidential security and mark a pivotal moment in American political history, ultimately resulting in Theodore Roosevelt becoming president.
- 07 Sep 1901 Peace of Peking - Boxer Rebellion Conclusion: The Boxer Rebellion in China was officially concluded with the signing of the Boxer Protocol, a significant diplomatic agreement between Chinese officials Li Hongzhang and Prince Duan. This treaty marked the end of a violent anti-foreign and anti-Christian uprising that had severely disrupted China's international relations and internal stability.
- 08 Sep 1901 Galveston Hurricane of 1900: A catastrophic hurricane with winds reaching 120 miles per hour struck Galveston, Texas, causing unprecedented destruction. The storm and subsequent massive tidal wave devastated the coastal city, destroying over 2,500 buildings and claiming more than 8,000 lives, making it the deadliest natural disaster in United States history. The immense loss of life and property prompted significant changes in hurricane preparedness and coastal city infrastructure.
- 09 Sep 1901 Death of Henri Toulouse-Lautrec: Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, the iconic French Post-Impressionist painter known for his vibrant posters and intimate depictions of Parisian nightlife, passed away at the young age of 36. A pioneering artist who captured the bohemian spirit of late 19th-century Paris, Toulouse-Lautrec was renowned for his groundbreaking work in lithography and his unflinching portrayals of cabaret performers, dancers, and marginalized social scenes.
- 10 Sep 1901 Uneventful Day in Early 20th Century: While no major historical events were documented for September 10, 1901, this period represented a relatively stable moment in the early years of the 20th century. The United States was under the presidency of William McKinley, and the world was experiencing gradual technological and social transformations.
- 11 Sep 1901 Assassination of President William McKinley: On September 11, 1901, U.S. President William McKinley was shot and fatally wounded at 4:12 in the afternoon by Leon Czolgosz, an American anarchist, during the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. Czolgosz approached McKinley during a public reception and shot him twice at close range. McKinley initially survived the shooting but died eight days later on September 14 from complications of his abdominal wounds. This tragic event marked the third assassination of a U.S. president in the nation's history and led to significant changes in presidential security protocols.
- 12 Sep 1901 Assassination of President William McKinley: U.S. President William McKinley was shot and fatally wounded at 4:12 in the afternoon by Leon Czolgosz, an American anarchist, at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. McKinley would succumb to complications from his abdominal injury eight days later, marking a significant moment in American political history.
- 13 Sep 1901 President McKinley's Critical Health Crisis: President William McKinley's medical condition dramatically worsened, signaling a critical moment in his recovery from an assassination attempt. The President's health was rapidly declining, creating uncertainty about his potential survival and the potential transition of presidential power.
- 14 Sep 1901 Assassination of President William McKinley: U.S. President William McKinley died after being mortally wounded on September 6 by anarchist Leon Czolgosz. His death led to Vice President Theodore Roosevelt succeeding him as President of the United States. McKinley was shot at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, and succumbed to his wounds eight days later due to gangrene from the bullet injuries.
- 15 Sep 1901 Assassination of President William McKinley: On September 15, 1901, anarchist Leon Czolgosz shot President William McKinley at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. The shooting occurred during a public reception, where Czolgosz approached McKinley and fired two shots at close range. McKinley was critically wounded and died eight days later on September 23, marking a significant moment in American presidential history and leading to increased security measures for future presidents.
- 16 Sep 1901 Founding of General Motors: Entrepreneur William Crapo 'Billy' Durant founded General Motors in Flint, Michigan, marking the beginning of what would become one of the world's largest automobile manufacturers.
- 17 Sep 1901 Funeral of Assassinated President William McKinley: The state funeral procession for President William McKinley was held, following his tragic assassination by anarchist Leon Czolgosz on September 6, 1901. The event marked a somber moment in American political history, with the nation mourning the loss of its leader.
- 18 Sep 1901 Assassination of President William McKinley: U.S. President William McKinley was fatally shot by anarchist Leon Czolgosz while attending the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. The shooting occurred on September 6, 1901, and McKinley succumbed to his wounds on September 14, 1901. This tragic event marked a significant moment in American political history, leading to Theodore Roosevelt's ascension to the presidency and sparking discussions about presidential security and anarchist movements.
- 19 Sep 1901 Assassination of President William McKinley: President William McKinley died from wounds suffered during an assassination attempt in Buffalo, New York. The president was shot on September 6th by anarchist Leon Czolgosz at the Pan-American Exposition, and passed away eight days later on September 19th, 1901. His death shocked the nation and led to significant changes in presidential security protocols.
- 20 Sep 1901 End of the Boxer Rebellion: The Boxer Rebellion in Qing dynasty China officially concludes with the signing of the Boxer Protocol, marking a significant moment in Chinese diplomatic history. This treaty formally ended the conflict between the Qing Empire and the Eight-Nation Alliance, which had been fighting in response to the anti-foreign and anti-Christian uprising known as the Boxer Rebellion. The protocol imposed harsh reparations on China, further weakening the already declining Qing dynasty and exposing the country's vulnerability to foreign powers.
- 21 Sep 1901 America's Cup Yacht Race: Columbia Defends National Honor: In a significant maritime sporting event, the American yacht Columbia was chosen to represent the United States in the prestigious America's Cup competition against the British yacht Shamrock II. This selection highlighted the intense international rivalry in yacht racing during the early 20th century, with national pride at stake. The America's Cup, one of the oldest international sporting trophies, was a symbol of maritime prowess and technological innovation in sailing vessels.
- 22 Sep 1901 Prelude to the Balangiga Massacre: A critical incident occurred in Balangiga, Philippines, involving tensions between American colonial forces and local Filipino inhabitants. Two intoxicated American soldiers attempted to sexually assault a Filipino woman, which prompted her brothers to intervene and defend her honor. This confrontation escalated existing tensions and set the stage for the subsequent Balangiga Massacre on September 28, 1901, a significant event in the Philippine-American War that highlighted the brutal dynamics of colonial conflict.
- 23 Sep 1901 John Paul Jones' Legendary Naval Battle during American Revolution: During the American Revolutionary War, naval commander John Paul Jones achieved a remarkable victory aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard against the British frigate HMS Serapis on September 23, 1901. Despite his ship being critically damaged and on the verge of sinking, Jones famously refused to surrender, embodying the revolutionary spirit of defiance. His strategic naval engagement and legendary quote, "I have not yet begun to fight!", became a pivotal moment in early American naval history, demonstrating extraordinary courage and tactical skill.
- 24 Sep 1901 Theodore Roosevelt Becomes President: Theodore Roosevelt was sworn in as the 26th President of the United States following the assassination of President William McKinley. He became the youngest president in U.S. history at age 42, succeeding to the presidency after McKinley's death. Roosevelt would go on to become a transformative leader known for his progressive policies, conservation efforts, and assertive foreign policy.
- 25 Sep 1901 Sandra Day O'Connor Becomes First Female Supreme Court Justice: Sandra Day O'Connor was sworn in as the first woman Supreme Court justice in United States history, marking a pivotal moment for gender equality in the American judicial system. Her appointment by President Ronald Reagan represented a significant breakthrough for women's representation in high-level government positions and judicial leadership.
- 26 Sep 1901 Assassination of President William McKinley: U.S. President William McKinley died from complications of an assassination attempt, passing away eight days after being shot by anarchist Leon Czolgosz in Buffalo, New York. His death led to Theodore Roosevelt becoming president and marked a significant moment in American political history.
- 27 Sep 1901 Assassination of President William McKinley: On September 27, 1901, U.S. President William McKinley was fatally shot by anarchist Leon Czolgosz at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. The assassination occurred during a public reception, where Czolgosz approached McKinley and shot him twice at close range. McKinley initially survived the shooting but died eight days later on September 14 from gangrene caused by his wounds. This tragic event led to significant changes in presidential security and marked the third assassination of a U.S. president in the nation's history.
- 28 Sep 1901 Balangiga Massacre during Philippine-American War: On September 28, 1901, a significant and brutal conflict occurred in Balangiga, Samar, during the Philippine-American War. Filipino resistance fighters launched a surprise attack on an occupying unit of the US 9th Infantry Regiment. The attack was initiated when Filipino Chief of Police Valeriano Abanador seized and shot Private Adolph Gamlin, then signaled local fighters with church bells. Armed with traditional bolo knives, the Filipino fighters killed dozens of American soldiers, including Captain Thomas Connell and two other officers. Only a few American soldiers managed to escape to a nearby stationed company in Basey.
- 29 Sep 1901 Birth of Lanza del Vasto: Lanza del Vasto, a prominent Italian philosopher, poet, and nonviolent activist, was born on this date. He would later become known for his spiritual and social philosophy, deeply influenced by Mahatma Gandhi's principles of nonviolence and social transformation. Del Vasto founded the Community of the Ark, an intentional community dedicated to peaceful living and social change.
- 30 Sep 1901 Invention of the Vacuum Cleaner: On September 30, 1901, British engineer Hubert Cecil Booth patented a groundbreaking domestic cleaning device - the first modern vacuum cleaner. Booth's invention revolutionized household cleaning by mechanizing the process of removing dust and debris from floors and surfaces. His design used a powerful suction mechanism that could collect dirt more efficiently than traditional manual sweeping methods, marking a significant technological advancement in home maintenance and hygiene.